Baltimore's Running game

[mudloggerone]

If he gets the red zone touches that I remember Alstott getting he'll put up decent points.

 

[Arctic Dawgs]

Sportsline update on McGahee

Fantasy AnalysisMcGahee was one of nine Ravens to be hit with the PUP designation, so it's probably just a formality that he was assigned the tag, which he'll eventually shed. McGahee did have offseason knee surgery and is still bothered by an ankle problem, but he also practiced at full speed during spring workouts. Expect McGahee to be fine healthwise, but his spot in the starting lineup is in jeopardy as teammates Ray Rice and LeRon McClain look to take reps from him (and each other). Consider McGahee no better than a No. 4/reserve Fantasy RB worth a middle- to late-round pick in drafts. For the latest from Ravens camp, check out CBSSports.com's RapidReports.
(Updated 07/28/2009).

I think it will likely be the same with Rice and McClain. Rice will do more receiving out of the backfield and McClain will get the goal line carries.

from earlier in the thread

Rice
250/275 carries, 1000/1200 yds
45 Rec, 350/450 yds
8/10 TDs

McClain

• 125/150 carries, 400/500 yds
• 15/20 rec, 100/125 yds (same as last year)
• 8/10 TDs (11 last year)

My reasons for those projections
Last year Baltimore ran the ball 592 times with McClain, McGahee, and Rice getting 86% of the carries. I used 85% of a conservitive 500 carries is 425 (the high side of McClain and Rices carries projected above). I lowered the #s giving Flacco more passing plays with another year under his belt. Those #s were from before Masons retirement

I think Balt wants to go a little more conventional than the WD40. I believe McClain will get quite a bit more than a conventional FB, but less than Alstott. I agree on the short yardage and goal line stuff, hence I have him down for 25/30% of the carries and half the TDs

another little nugget today

BAL - RB Ray Rice could start
Source: John Clayton - ESPN.com
John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports Baltimore Ravens RB Ray Rice has a great chance to start this season due to injuries to RB Willis McGahee (knee, ankle).
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Rice not only could start, Rice should start for the Ravens. Willis McGahee is not a favorite of the coaching staff, and has been sidelined while he's recovering from two offseason surgeries. Rice has bulked up this offseason and he has been impressing coaches with his work ethic. Rice and FB Le'Ron McClain should get a majority of the carries for the Ravens this year.

 

[Arctic Dawgs]

email from Fanball

Aug 03, 2009 07:54 PM CDT
McClain working as No. 3 back
The News
LeRon McClain is working as the No. 3 running back in training camp behind Willis McGahee and rising star Ray Rice, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Our View
McClain's touches will decrease this season after rushing 232 times for 902 yards in 2008 - but he is expected to resume his role as the short-yardage specialist, potentially making him a solid source for touchdowns in deeper leagues.

Saw somewhere else that they have him losing wieght as well. That prolly means more time at RB. Worth keeping an eye on

 

[Sgt John]

I also like Rices ability to catch the ball, increasing his value in PPR leagues.

 

[Arctic Dawgs]

I had him pegged for 45 rec above

(Rotoworld) Though the Ravens plan to run a backfield-by-committee, Ray Rice has taken the majority of the first-team reps. Analysis: The Ravens are thrilled with Rice's offseason work in the weight room, and he figures to lead the team in touches out of the backfield. PPR leaguers, especially should take note. Rice could finish second on the team with 50+ receptions this year.

 

[Arctic Dawgs]

Training Camp Update:

BAL - RB LeRon McClain impressive during camp
Source: Mike Preston - The Baltimore Sun
Mike Preston, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery said he has been impressed with FB Le'Ron McClain in terms of his running, blocking and receiving. 'I'm really impressed where he is. The game has really slowed down for him. You would think in terms of coming back and the success he had that he would be big headed and have some cockiness. But he is re-inventing himself. He is taking coaching, and has showed me a lot in trying to be the fullback we want him to be,' Montgomery said.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
It's going to be a three-headed RBBC in Baltimore once again this year with a twist. Ray Rice will be the lead back, with McGahee filling in from time to time. Le'Ron McClain will continue to be the Ravens short-yardage and goalline back.

 

[Remote Controller]

McClain will once again lead this rb corp before all is said and done. Willis is basically finished, and Rice is a pussy!

 

[Catch Freaks]

I actually like Ray Rice. He's a nice pickup for me in the 7th round in my 14-team ppr league. You can't beat a back that can catch the ball out of the backfield.

 

[Arctic Dawgs]

By Email

Aug 10, 2009 08:20 PM CDT
Rice listed as starter
The News
Ray Rice is listed as the starting running back on the Ravens' latest depth chart, according to their official team website.
Our View
Veteran Willis McGahee is listed as the primary backup, with LeRon McClain the starting fullback. Rice is a rising star, and should continue to inch up fantasy draft boards with a strong showing in camp and the preseason. Rice may lack size, but is a solid sleeper to target for 2009 - especially for PPR leagues as he has good receiving skills.

 

[Sgt John]

He better be, I mortgaged the farm on him as a RB2

 

[comegetDATnguyen]

Rice looked great last night.

He was in for every down with the 1st team, getting a few passing targets and even a TD on a trick play.

I can see his ADP starting to rise, the word is out on this kid. Great potential...

 

[tblGoBlue]

I agree... is it a stretch to go get this guy in the 4th round?

I'm putting this guy ahead of LJ, Lynch, T. Jones, Addai, Lendale, Stewart, Bush, Moreno, Wells, and Ward on my list, and I'm just not sure he'll be there for me in the 5th...

 

[cctekguy]

I'm putting this guy ahead of LJ, Lynch, T. Jones, Addai, Lendale, Stewart, Bush, Moreno, Wells, and Ward on my list, and I'm just not sure he'll be there for me in the 5th...

Pre-season delusionitis can effect even the most talented and experienced Fantasy Footballer.

 

[tblGoBlue]

Is it that much of a stretch really? He's going to be starting, and the Ravens do like to run the ball.

Moreno not starting/RBBC
Wells not starting
Ward timeshare
LJ ok maybe but he's LJ
Lynch out 4 games
T. Jones old and timeshare
Addai timeshare
Lendale timeshare
Stewart timeshare
Bush timeshare/impending injury

 

[tblGoBlue]

Pre-season delusionitis can effect even the most talented and experienced Fantasy Footballer.

FYI, According to fantasyfootballcalculator.com, Ray Rice's ADP is now 4.06, placing him ahead of all the aforementioned running backs.

3.09 Ronnie Brown RB MIA
3.11 Kevin Smith RB DET
4.04 Darren McFadden RB OAK
4.06 Ray Rice RB BAL
4.11 Marshawn Lynch RB BUF
5.03 Reggie Bush RB NO
5.05 Larry Johnson RB KC
5.07 Derrick Ward RB TB
5.08 Joseph Addai RB IND
5.11 Knowshon Moreno RB DEN
5.12 Thomas Jones RB NYJ

 

[tmaschm]

and to think I got him in the tenth

 

[Birdman]

Quite frankly I can't understand how Ray Rice went from a great value to an overpriced and over hyped runner in just one week.

Ray Rice at 4.06? That's not value.

McGahee is still 28, McClain is a goal line option and the Ravens aren't going to be moving the ball much. He is too much of a high-upside high-risk RB pick and you can get those much later in the draft (F. Jones, J. Davis, D. Brown, L. McCoy, A. Bradshaw etc. etc.)

 

[Phicinfan]

Quite frankly I can't understand how Ray Rice went from a great value to an overpriced and over hyped runner in just one week.

Ray Rice at 4.06? That's not value.

McGahee is still 28, McClain is a goal line option and the Ravens aren't going to be moving the ball much. He is too much of a high-upside high-risk RB pick and you can get those much later in the draft (F. Jones, J. Davis, D. Brown, L. McCoy, A. Bradshaw etc. etc.)

Why?

they were a top rushing team last year, and have only improved. McClain is back at FB. McGahee has already been told he is the back up.

So tell me again why he is less an option than Felix Jones who IS only change of pace, D.Brown who IS only change of pace for Addai, McCoy who will only rest Westbrook and Bradshaw who is ONLY change of pace for the Giants?

Rice will get carries AND get receptions...and get more chances than above IMO.

 

[Birdman]

So tell me again why he is less an option than Felix Jones who IS only change of pace, D.Brown who IS only change of pace for Addai, McCoy who will only rest Westbrook and Bradshaw who is ONLY change of pace for the Giants?

Rice will get carries AND get receptions...and get more chances than above IMO.

Because his ADP is 4.06 that's why

I'm not saying I'd rather have McCoy/Bradshaw/Jones/Brown than Rice this year, I'm saying I'd rather spend a much later pick on them. Rice may not even carry value in non-ppr leagues if his "backups" are constantly vulturing TDs and he is likely to be in a committee system with McClain and McGahee seeing time. We honestly don't know how many opportunities Rice will get - if we did I could see taking him pretty high, but 4.06 is too expensive.

 

[Phicinfan]

Because his ADP is 4.06 that's why

I'm not saying I'd rather have McCoy/Bradshaw/Jones/Brown than Rice this year, I'm saying I'd rather spend a much later pick on them. Rice may not even carry value in non-ppr leagues if his "backups" are constantly vulturing TDs and he is likely to be in a committee system with McClain and McGahee seeing time. We honestly don't know how many opportunities Rice will get - if we did I could see taking him pretty high, but 4.06 is too expensive.

Oh, okay. My bad. I agree a 4th rounder is too expensive for Rice.